Ashley points to Owen exit

18 December 2008 09:15

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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has admitted that his club do not have the funds to ward off any major bids for star striker Michael Owen.
Owen is out of contract at St James' Park next summer and a number of other Premier League clubs are believed to be lining up approaches for the England international in the New Year.
Ashley told The Sun: "We'd love Michael Owen to stay.
"Newcastle want him to stay, but we have to look at what we can spend when other clubs like Manchester City do not.
"The guy at City is about 1,000 times wealthier than me. I haven't got his kind of money. If Man City want Owen, there's nothing I can do about it."
However, Ashley did admit that some funds are available to manager Joe Kinnear to tinker with his squad next month.
He added: "I've definitely got some money, although whether I will give it to him or not is another question.
"Joe realises that Newcastle don't have a bottomless pit of money, so he will be very careful with what he does.
"If it's a player that costs £30million then I can absolutely say 'I don't think so'.
"But will he able to get the players he wants to tinker with the team and change the balance? The answer's yes."